Hill set for England debut as Saints team-mate Brookes is released

Paul Hill remains in the England squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Scotland (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Hill and Leicester’s Dan Cole are Eddie Jones’ chosen tighthead options for the trip north of the border, with Saints star Kieran Brookes being released.

That is good news for Northampton, with Brookes now available for Saturday’s crucial Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins at The Stoop.

And it is also good news for Hill, who is set to cap a rapid rise to prominence with a first appearance for the Red Rose senior team this weekend.

The 20-year-old has only started five games for Saints since joining the club from Yorkshire Carnegie last summer.

He has made a total of 15 appearances, but did not get a run in the side until Brookes sustained a knee injury in the December 18 draw with Racing 92.

And Hill has clearly done enough to impress new England head coach Jones, who is ready to show faith in the 2014 Junior World Championship winner.

“We’ve done some good work and I’ve been really impressed with the players’ attitude, effort and want to make England into a winning team,” Jones said.

“At this point we are moving in the right direction.”

Saints hooker Dylan Hartley will skipper England in the Six Nations opener, but his club-mate Courtney Lawes is a doubt due to a hamstring injury.

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Saints), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens).

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Travelling reserves: Maro Itoje (Saracens), Elliot Daly (Wasps)

Players released back to their clubs: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Kieran Brookes (Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).